Nice Photos!

Good evening.

During the previous weeks I focused on the construction and the placement of the two new helixes of the diorama.
These are vital for the operation of the layout as they connect the hidden yards with the visible part.
The -relatively- simple idea, is that the train that "appear" in the station, will subsequently "disappear" in the hidden yards.

Therefore I initially placed the smaller (suspended) helix, followed by the permanent four-track one.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307097467/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307098491/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307104059/

Next I connected the structures .I went for the "reversed" KIBRI bridges as I think they fit better in the given space and allowed me to construct a decent supporting entry and exit point.
(the tracks under the bridges are laid only for the connection)




http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307692318/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307100893/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307101923/


The helixes look like that now :



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5307697712/

Please accept my apologies for the appearing chaos.... and the purely "constructing" post...

Happy New Year to all!

Dimitris.

Impressive!

Don't mind the chaos, it is almost everywhere... Everyone who's building a nice track has to deal with a little mess...

Greetz!

Ronald

Hello to all friends!

Construction work for "Neustadt" continues with the development of a small mountain diorama for HOe.
This "sub-diorama" will be placed on top of the second helix.
The diorama "task" is to allow the train to do a reverse polarity loop and will feature a small station, a warehouse and the ruins of a small castle.
So initially I started with the track positioning and started to cut the foam with a custom made hot wire jig saw.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388550584/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388551840/

Later on I built two stone bridges and two tunnel mouths....



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388552970/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387947151/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388555142/

Then I proceed with the mountain...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387949449/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388557244/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388558244/

and the stream...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387952621/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387953891/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387967065/

I "treated" the keys so as to improve conductivity, have underlay motor and operate in a digital environment.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388561544/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387956203/

In the station basement , I installed the feeders and the point decoder module.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387957525/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388568578/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387967901/

Formed the rock and set it up like a wedding cake ....



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5388565290/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387960983/

Two close-ups for the rock formings.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387963997/




http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5387962991/


to be continued ....( I hope ...)


Good evening,


Dimitris Katsikas.

Really awesome layout.

Don`t know if it is mentioned somewhere, but what Dimensons does it have and do you probably have a layout plan?

Cheers

Sven

Hello Dimitris,

today I found your discribtion of your layout and enjoyed watching your pictures.

It really looks great!
I would like to have such a locomotive shed too...wow!
Especially the rocks are looking very realistic and the vegetion is fine too.

In my opinion, your layout has the quality to be in the hall of fame.
Not because it is big, but because it is big and nevertheless a very detailled, fine modelling work.

Hope to see more pictures some times?
(Would be nice of you to use a link to show them bigger in the forum, size 800 x 600 pix if it´s possible?)

best regrads,
Dirk

@

Zitat von Mister T - HO

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Really awesome layout.
Don`t know if it is mentioned somewhere, but what Dimensons does it have and do you probably have a layout plan?
Cheers
Sven

---

Thank you Sven.
The layout has a non-regular formation (as you can see in the attached plan).
I made many alterations to the initial design (mountains,brigdes and a harbour) and I will upload a new more accurate wintrack plan soon.
The visible part of the diorama is 16 m2 .



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j...57616125007535/

The hidden yards plan remains unchanged



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j...57616125007535/

Zitat von Dirk aus Duesseldorf

---

Hello Dimitris,

today I found your discribtion of your layout and enjoyed watching your pictures.

It really looks great!
I would like to have such a locomotive shed too...wow!
Especially the rocks are looking very realistic and the vegetion is fine too.

In my opinion, your layout has the quality to be in the hall of fame.
Not because it is big, but because it is big and nevertheless a very detailled, fine modelling work.

Hope to see more pictures some times?
(Would be nice of you to use a link to show them bigger in the forum, size 800 x 600 pix if it´s possible?)

best regrads,
Dirk

---

Dirk, many thanks for your comments.

The vegetation is not complete....I need some items from Mininature , in order to make some pine and ecke trees. (99% of all items on the layout are bought from Germany).

The diorama is not a big one (I wish I had double the space...) However ,It is detailed.I agree on that.

I choose not to show big pictures on the forum page because some people might anticipate problems with the internet or the browser.
I post a small preview and right down of the picture I post the relevant link to the actual photo.
I hope this is more convenient for the viewer.
A more detailed and classified photo view of the project can be found in Flick r photostream.

Last but not least : To where this diorama belongs, is of less importance for me.
What relly makes me happy is the essence and atmosphere of "Deutsche Bundesbahn" in my train room thousands of kilometers away of the real thing and to share this with people who have the privilledge to experience this atmosphere live in their back yards...

Greetings,

Dimitris.

Good evening and good month to all.

It is time for some planting in Neustadt... , so I made (and planted) some trees from materials I had in inventory....
I hope that soon I will be able to make and add some real nice "custom made" pine trees.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405973616/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405974812/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405976878/

I prepared the stream for the artificial water,



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405366549/

Finally , I made (from scratch) a styrene retain bridge for the rock formings.I have seen this "retain wall" in the fabulus Albula bahn, diorama.

I begun with the main sypport,



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405978094/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405373493/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405980754/

Mounted the wall (Spoerle mould)...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405376095/

Primered...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405377151/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405378235/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405379489/

Chopped the wooden "upper frame",



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405986934/

...and glued in place...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405382427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405989314/

Finally I set the bridge in place , in order to determine the mountain contour and visualize how this structure will bond with surrounding nature in harmony.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405385119/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5405386437/


thank you for your time,


Dimitris.

Good day to all friends.


Almost two thirds of the HOe diorama is ready,so it is time for our regular update!

Firstly I "opened" the dead end road of the station.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429715714/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429113101/

I "planted" the warehouse,



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429716670/

Made the stream,imitated the water and added a small drain pipe (for clear water...)



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429114075/

I made thre custom built prellbocks from plaster and silikon moulds



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429114767/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429115669/


Made some trees from filter and turf,



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429721166/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429118295/

I added lighting, the station (with internal details, lights etc.) , and took some pictures of the progress...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429723926/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429120017/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429120989/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429726758/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429727684/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429728618/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429124619/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429125499/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429126433/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429732190/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429128129/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429733950/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429129951/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429130859/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429131713/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429132619/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429738410/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429134257/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429136131/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5429137069/

The remaining 1/3 (overhead,added nature and numerous details) to be presented in the near future.

Thank you for your time,

Dimitris Katsikas.

Hi Dimitris,

many thanks for those great pics.
From my side this thread should move to the hall of fame!

regards,
Sebastian

Looks really impressing, you get my vote for "hall of fame/ruhmeshalle"

Great Tree`s

Do you like all the trees on the image with the filter floss? Where do you get the rohmateriel for the tribes? The green stuff when I have read by the right of mini nature?

I wish I would have more experience in the tree construction.

@Seba1078,@Hoettelknoettel, many thanks.

@Dizzyboy, thank you for your comments.

All trees are hand made.
The bark is actually a real plant (Thymian) ,which is easily found in rocky places throughout Greece.
I strip off the branches, and choose those that can form trees in my scale.
Then I take the filter moss that is used for fish ponts and "spread it" the same way you do with foliages of various brands (Noch,woodland,heki etc.)
When the tree shape is satisfactory, I paint with black mat (or brown) spray.
I then spay glue (very lightly) and then spread leaves ("blatter" from Heki) from 20-30 cm above the tree.I try not to overdo with leaves as this will make the branches invisible.

Some people finish the tree by spraying glue or hairspray but I don't as I this makes the tree more "heavy in the eye" and sticky.

There is a tremendous thread in "ruhmeshalle" called " Baumbau " that gives invaluable info on tree making.It is really fantastic!

Greetings,

Dimitris.

Thanks for the detailed description. I think I will stock up my time with the necessary material and have to take some walks in the woods with the family: D thyme grows here, unfortunately, not like you in the grass;)

Good day to all and Happy Valentine day!

Entering now the final stages of the contruction process (overhead,signal and signs are pending), please find attached the progress through photos.

First I built a small diorama (9,5 by 4 cm. 3,9 by 1,6 in.), featuring one of my "favourites" : "lost areas".
The stone wall is from plaster,I used a Z scale track, built a small turntable from styrene and used "off cuts" for the area.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5442752775/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443357312/

here is the outcome.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443358608/


I added people,cars,railings,nature,birds...and created some scenes,that I'd like to see in real life...



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5442748639/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443354276/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5442761575/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443366188/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443359852/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443361256/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5442759145/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443366188/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443367400/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443368664/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/5443370130/

I hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I enjoy building it.

Dimitris Katsikas.

Best trees ever seen on a layout.

Very natural - looks like the real thing.

Noch and Heki etc. should ask you for making better trees.

Greetings

Frank

Hey hey

Wow, this is a great job that you are doing.

It doesn't look like a modell. The lovely details are so exciting.
I can't wait to see more...

Thanks,
Björn

Zitat von Frank44

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Best trees ever seen on a layout.
Very natural - looks like the real thing.
Noch and Heki etc. should ask you for making better trees.
Greetings
Frank

---

Thank you Frank! I will give Noch and Heki my mobile...

Zitat von DJCrazyBear

---

Hey hey
Wow, this is a great job that you are doing.
It doesn't look like a modell. The lovely details are so exciting.
I can't wait to see more...

Thanks,
Björn

---

Thank you Bjorn!

Good day to all!

During the last days I managed to complete the HOe diorama that is placed over the second helix and next to the snowed mountain.

I cut the side and front wooden panel of the diorama.The latter supports the DCC adapter , a small "door" for access reasons and an extra set of track feeders.
This time I used a "carton" technique , followed by plaster , clay etc.
I also placed a small speaker in order to reproduce the sounds of nature (as one can see in the video at the end).



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream

Finally I placed nature, trees (all hand made) , resin for the river, lights, signal , overhead etc.

So here it is :

Back when everything started :



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j...157626018065494

and now :



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



A couple of distant photos :



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


and some night views :



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream

Finally a -bad quality video - from my DCR, in order to see and hear the sounds on the diorama.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream

greetings from Greece,

Dimitris.

Hi Dimitris,

well, i really dunno what to say about your layout...
it's just....epic.

P.S.: Seems like you are not suffering from any financial crisis

Greetz from Germany,
Lukas

Zitat von paloo

---

Hi Dimitris,
well, i really dunno what to say about your layout...
it's just....epic.

Thank you Lukas.
I do not post here often, but you can see the phases of the layout in my flick r photostream.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_jimmyk/

P.S.: Seems like you are not suffering from any financial crisis

We do! Large amount of the debt derrives form Project Neustadt...
But take into consideration two elements :
a.Most items were bought years before the crisis
b. guess where 97% of the appearing items were bought from...

Greetz from Germany,

Lukas

---

Greetings,

Dimitris!

This is really a great layout, and I can only say how jealous I am of the fantastic and so professional job that Dimitris is doing. He is really a Modelleisenbahn Meister. My sincere respect to younand your excellent layout Dimitris!

Hello Dimitris,

i say --> time for "Ruhmeshalle" !!!!!

Very nice and a lot of picture. Please give use a little bit more information to
plan (ideas), layout ect. and more picture.

Thanks a lot

Good day to all

here is the latest addition to the layout : the central "river layout".
This was a very difficult project , not only because of the multiple leveling of the track ,multiple connections and/or detailing but also due to the fact that I had to do a lot of work literally suspended above the layout...!!!

This "river layout" also features five bridges (two doubles and a single HOe ,which is scratch built) , two retaining bridges form styrene,a river bank with real water that starts from the top of the layout, a side cascade with steam generator, a smoke generator and a loudspeaker in the house.
The nature (stones,dirt,trees,bushes, weeds and tuffs) are all scratch built or I should say home made...

Anyway...this is the finished layout

Let me remind you how all started:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream

and now :


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream


http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream

Two videos :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_layout_j.../in/photostream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0PO7QWg13o


greetings from Greece,

Dimitris.

Hi Dimitri!

I'ver recognized you layout a time ago. You built it on a very high level. I'm fascinated about you're very last fotos. The scenerie of the wild river and it's landscape looks so realistic! Your self-made trees are fantastic, some of the best I've seen here in the forum, also the coulor of the whole layout!
I also wote for the HALL OF FAME / RUHMESHALLE!

Greatings frm the South-Western part of the Baltic-Sea Coast
Matthias